as in optimistically
in a positive or optimistic manner
They waited hopefully for the doctor to update them on their friend's condition. When the sun appeared, we asked hopefully if everyone remembered to bring sunblock.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hopefully
The space was cleared out for chairs and hopefully revelry.
—
Miami Herald, 14 June 2026
And so, hopefully, this gives people an interesting view and for young boys to see it in this nature, and hopefully understand it a bit more.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Across 45 minutes, before being subbed out at half-time in what hopefully proves to be just a precautionary measure, the 27-year-old Milan star did exactly what was required of him on the biggest stage imaginable.
—Charlie Davies, New York Times, 13 June 2026
Progress for them looks like getting out of the group by any means necessary and hopefully winning its first World Cup knockout game.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopefully
Miami Herald, 14 June 2026
And so, hopefully, this gives people an interesting view and for young boys to see it in this nature, and hopefully understand it a bit more.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Across 45 minutes, before being subbed out at half-time in what hopefully proves to be just a precautionary measure, the 27-year-old Milan star did exactly what was required of him on the biggest stage imaginable.
—Charlie Davies, New York Times, 13 June 2026
Progress for them looks like getting out of the group by any means necessary and hopefully winning its first World Cup knockout game.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopefully
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefully
Adverb
-
Vendors talk, perhaps a touch optimistically, of underwriting that once took three days arriving in three minutes.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
But the county found the Rays’ proposal leaned too optimistically on a sales tax known as the Community Investment Tax, which most commissioners said in 2024 would not go to a new stadium.—
Nicolas Villamil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Adverb
-
Regardless of the extent of Rose’s presence, fans are hoping for her and Peter to get a happy ending the way George Clooney’s ER return for Julianna Margulies’ final episode gave their characters Doug and Carol a happily ever after.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
-
One thing that has shifted since Sendak’s heyday, however, is our baseline of assumptions about how much kids are reading, or how well or how happily, or to what extent the culture that surrounds them is fundamentally hostile to reading.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Adverb
-
Golden retrievers remained cheerfully oblivious as usual.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
12 June 2026
-
Among other curiosities were Matthew Howard and Joseph Pereira cheerfully pulverizing Philip Glass’ Fantasy Concerto for Two Timpanists and Orchestra, as well as Boris Allakhverdyan suavely ghosting jazz legend Artie Shaw in his Clarinet Concerto.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Adverb
-
Knowing the basics of biomarkers, PSMA and PSMA-PET scans can help caregivers ask informed questions, participate more confidently in treatment discussions and ensure that every appropriate option is being considered.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
-
The recurring worry was that the technology can be confidently wrong, handing over a clean, plausible answer that happens to be mistaken.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adverb
-
This is a story of a community that lived joyfully and out loud, dancing to Spanish verse set to Afro-Caribbean rhythms.—
Rev. José Rodriguez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
-
Courtesy of Strand Hill Properties Manhattan Beach’s Strand is Southern California coastline at its most joyfully choreographed.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Adverb
-
But there were plenty of living famouses who were positively pestilent with Knicks fever.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
-
The exponential return on our positively performing company outweighs the losers.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Adverb
-
There's a joyously wacky energy to this broad comedy on the whole, giving Rudd an interesting arc to play.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
The team joyously celebrated the end of their regular season with a pool party, taco bar and more soccer, a news release stated.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2026
Video
Hopefully
We believe the popular usage of this word is correct
Cite this Entry
“Hopefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefully. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
